Rescuing a Ridgeback.

[false_aesthetic]

I get it, they wanna make sure that the dog goes to a good home but . . . . SHEEEESH!

1. 3-4 page application w/references.

2. Called and spoke to all of my references for 15-20 minutes each.

3. 90 minute phone interview. Seriously asked what we plan on feeding the dog. "Well, we feed our other dog dog-food."

4. House visit. Except the lady doesn't respond to emails in a timely fashion (4 day delay, 1.5 sentence response) and has consistently ignored any email that comes from my GF regarding times we're available.


All this has taken 2.5 months and we're still trying to get that house visit taken care of.



In the meantime:
I could've rescued a bazillion dogs from shelters just by showing up and dropping $200-$400.
In California I could've bought 6 guns by now.
Fuck it, I could've started driving for Uber and saved up $3000 to buy one from a breeder.

[j44ke]

I worked in a humane shelter for nearly 3 years. Very rewarding work, I'd do it again if I could go back and do it again, but I was also a total wreck at the end of it.

Go to a humane shelter, find a silly dog with his (or her) tongue hanging out sideways who looks like he (or she) is just happy to be, well he's not sure what he is but he's happy about it nonetheless and is that a ball in your hand, and give him a spin. If his/her personality works for you, go for it.

I understand the need to save particular breeds from bad situations in which the owners were not prepared for the upkeep or the personality or whatever specific to that breed, but give me a floppy eared black and tan Chihuahua Bassett Great Dane Sheepdog Doberman Labrador Labrador Labrador Beagle Albatross Pelican Giraffe mix any day.

Plus you'll make a humane shelter worker's day just a bit more tolerable. Trust me on this.

[Eric Estlund]

At least when I lived there, SLC had a big dog fighting problem, and it was a similar process to try to adopt anything in the medium plus size.

My wife and I drove out to a farm country pound (not shelter), found an insane black labweiler that was one day away from a death sentence and asked what it took to adopt. They put him on a string and asked for $15 that they said they would refund if we got him fixed.

That space cadet is now 12 and currently snoring in the living room.

[Peter Polack]

At least when I lived there, SLC had a big dog fighting problem, and it was a similar process to try to adopt anything in the medium plus size.

My wife and I drove out to a farm country pound (not shelter), found an insane black labweiler that was one day away from a death sentence and asked what it took to adopt. They put him on a string and asked for $15 that they said they would refund if we got him fixed.

That space cadet is now 12 and currently snoring in the living room.

Great story. Thanks for taking in that space cadet; I'm sure he shows his appreciation.

[dashDustin]

Prior to getting our Nugget (a few weeks ago, pic attached) I was denied another pup from a...boutique adaption/ foster facility. Boutique is the only word I can think of. Same type of deal...excessive application, phone interview, etc etc before I could even see the dog. That kind of pissed me off.

But in the end, I got Nugget from Texas Humane Heroes rather than the other pup I applied for. I feel as though I still won.

2CB26B1E-09CD-4111-893D-F838043B3C92.jpg

[robin3mj]

Prior to getting our Nugget (a few weeks ago, pic attached) I was denied another pup from a...boutique adaption/ foster facility. Boutique is the only word I can think of. Same type of deal...excessive application, phone interview, etc etc before I could even see the dog. That kind of pissed me off.

But in the end, I got Nugget from Texas Humane Heroes rather than the other pup I applied for. I feel as though I still won.

2CB26B1E-09CD-4111-893D-F838043B3C92.jpg

You definitely won.
More importantly, so did Nugget.

[Cookietruck]

I was denied another pup from a...boutique adaption/ foster facility.

was it APA ?

your pup is super cute!!

[false_aesthetic]

Go to a humane shelter, find a silly dog with his (or her) tongue hanging out sideways who looks like he (or she) is just happy to be, well he's not sure what he is but he's happy about it nonetheless and is that a ball in your hand, and give him a spin. If his/her personality works for you, go for it.

Yep! Our #1 is a rescue. I thought I would hate him -- he was 4lbs of terrified chihuahua/papillon mix and grew to be 8.5lbs still terrified - but I flippin' love that little dude!

A ridgeback is just something that I've wanted since I was 16 and am OK with holding out for one unless something some other pup presents itself and we fall in love.
----

Re: dog fighting. I'm sure LA has a problem too. It's strange though, I can go and pick-up a pitbull or rottweiler puppy for next to nothing. Heck, my shop-mate got his massive pit/mastiff, Auto, for free.

----

I get the feeling Vertical_doug is correct. Most other folks would have dropped out by now.

[bigbill]

I've got a retired navy friend that raises ridgebacks with championship pedigrees. Each litter, about one every two years, has a few non-ridged ridgebacks and as soon as I have a place, I'll get one of the non-ridged since the show dog people don't want them. I hate the whole concept of pure breeds, every great dog I've had has been a mutt.

[false_aesthetic]

I've got a retired navy friend that raises ridgebacks with championship pedigrees. Each litter, about one every two years, has a few non-ridged ridgebacks and as soon as I have a place, I'll get one of the non-ridged since the show dog people don't want them. I hate the whole concept of pure breeds, every great dog I've had has been a mutt.

I would take a non-ridge any day!

[bigbill]

I would take a non-ridge any day!

Still great dogs, just not show dogs. And I'd never want a show dog, but my friend gets his bred every couple of years and the puppies are all spoken for within days of birth. His dog has a great temperament and grew up around kids. And was still a grand champion.

[Vancouverdave]

We have the world's most beautiful, sweetest small-size beagle because she didn't "meet standard." She exceeds any standards that we can think of for sure!

[vertical_doug]

I get it, they wanna make sure that the dog goes to a good home but . . . . SHEEEESH!

1. 3-4 page application w/references.

2. Called and spoke to all of my references for 15-20 minutes each.

3. 90 minute phone interview. Seriously asked what we plan on feeding the dog. "Well, we feed our other dog dog-food."

4. House visit. Except the lady doesn't respond to emails in a timely fashion (4 day delay, 1.5 sentence response) and has consistently ignored any email that comes from my GF regarding times we're available.


All this has taken 2.5 months and we're still trying to get that house visit taken care of.



In the meantime:
I could've rescued a bazillion dogs from shelters just by showing up and dropping $200-$400.
In California I could've bought 6 guns by now.
Fuck it, I could've started driving for Uber and saved up $3000 to buy one from a breeder.

Actually, on the application and interview/visit, you're willingness to put up with the process and not lose interest is probably the best indicator of your suitability as a home.

Ironic but true